NASA Ames potential flow analysis (POTFAN) geometry program (POTGEM), version 1

A computer program known as POTGEM is reported which has been developed as an independent segment of a three-dimensional linearized, potential flow analysis system and which is used to generate a panel point description of arbitrary, three-dimensional bodies from convenient engineering descriptions consisting of equations and/or tables. Due to the independent, modular nature of the program, it may be used to generate corner points for other computer programs

Normal loads program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

A description of and users manual are presented for a U.S.A. FORTRAN 4 computer program which evaluates spanwise and chordwise loading distributions, lift coefficient, pitching moment coefficient, and other stability derivatives for thin wings in linearized, steady, subsonic flow. The program is based on a kernel function method lifting surface theory and is applicable to a large class of planforms including asymmetrical ones and ones with mixed straight and curved edges

Plotting program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

A description of and users manual for a USA FORTRAN IV computer program which plots the planform and control points of a wing are presented. The program also plots some of the configuration data such as the aspect ratio. The planform data is stored on a disc file which is created by a geometry program. This program, the geometry program, and several other programs are used together in the analysis of lifting, thin wings in steady, subsonic flow according to a kernel function lifting surface theory

Equation solving program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

A description of and user's manual are presented for one of a group of FORTRAN programs which, together, can be used for the analysis and design of wings in steady, subsonic flow according to a kernel function method lifting surface theory. This particular program is the one which solves the sets of simultaneous, linear, algebraic equations arising from the thin wing analysis. This program has the capability of striking out rows and columns of the aerodynamic influence matrix and rows of the associated boundary condition vectors (right hand sides). This capability significantly enhances the effectiveness of the kernel function method of lifting surface theory because studies of the convergence of solutions with the number of control points can be done with the calculation of only a single influence matrix

Boundary condition program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

Users manual for a U.S.A. FORTRAN 4 computer program which determines boundary conditions for a thin wing lifting surface program is described. This program, the geometry program, and several other programs are used together in the analysis of lifting, thin wings in steady, subsonic flow according to a kernel function lifting surface theory. The program calculates specific types of boundary conditions automatically such as those necessary to determine pitch and roll damping derivatives. The program also accepts descriptions of the camber or downwash and twist in the form of tables and/or coefficients of equations. The program performs interpolations so that tables and/or coefficients can apply at stations selected by the user and not at stations dictated by the control point locations

NASA Ames three-dimensional potential flow analyses system (POTFAN) boundary condition code (BCDN), version 1

This segment of the POTFAN system is used to generate right hand sides (boundary conditions) of the system of equations associated with the flow field under consideration. These specified flow boundary conditions are encountered in the oblique derivative boundary value problem (boundary value problem of the third kind) and contain the Neumann boundary condition as a special case. Arbitrary angle of attack and/or sideslip and/or rotation rates may be specified, as well as an arbitrary, nonuniform external flow field and the influence of prescribed singularity distributions

Vortex Effects for Canard-wing Configurations at High Angles of Attack in Subsonic Flow

A fully three-dimensional subsonic panel method that can handle arbitrary shed vortex wakes is used to compute the nonlinear forces and moments on simple canard-wing configurations. The lifting surfaces and wakes are represented by doublet panels. The Mangler-Smith theory is used to provide an initial estimate for the vortex sheet shed from the leading edge. The trailing-edge wake and the leading-edge wake downstream of the trailing edge are assumed to be straight and leave the trailing edge at an angle of alpha/2. Results indicate good agreement with experimental data up to 40 degs angle of attack

Improvements to the kernel function method of steady, subsonic lifting surface theory

The application of a kernel function lifting surface method to three dimensional, thin wing theory is discussed. A technique for determining the influence functions is presented. The technique is shown to require fewer quadrature points, while still calculating the influence functions accurately enough to guarantee convergence with an increasing number of spanwise quadrature points. The method also treats control points on the wing leading and trailing edges. The report introduces and employs an aspect of the kernel function method which apparently has never been used before and which significantly enhances the efficiency of the kernel function approach

Geometry program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

A computer program that provides the geometry and boundary conditions appropriate for an analysis of a lifting, thin wing with control surfaces in linearized, subsonic, steady flow is presented. The kernel function method lifting surface theory is applied. The data which is generated by the program is stored on disk files or tapes for later use by programs which calculate an influence matrix, plot the wing planform, and evaluate the loads on the wing. In addition to processing data for subsequent use in a lifting surface analysis, the program is useful for computing area and mean geometric chords of the wing and control surfaces

NASA-Ames three-dimensional potential flow analysis system (POTFAN) equation solver code (SOLN) version 1

A computer program known as SOLN was developed as an independent segment of the NASA-Ames three-dimensional potential flow analysis systems of linear algebraic equations. Methods used include: LU decomposition, Householder's method, a partitioning scheme, and a block successive relaxation method. Due to the independent modular nature of the program, it may be used by itself and not necessarily in conjunction with other segments of the POTFAN system